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Title: Neutron range spectrometer

Abstract

A neutron range spectrometer and method for determining the neutron energy spectrum of a neutron emitting source are disclosed. Neutrons from the source are collimnated along a collimation axis and a position sensitive neutron counter is disposed in the path of the collimated neutron beam. The counter determines positions along the collimation axis of interactions between the neutrons in the neutron beam and a neutron-absorbing material in the counter. From the interaction positions, a computer analyzes the data and determines the neutron energy spectrum of the neutron beam. The counter is preferably shielded and a suitable neutron-absorbing material is He-3. The computer solves the following equation in the analysis: ##EQU1## where: N(x).DELTA.x=the number of neutron interactions measured between a position x and x+.DELTA.x, A.sub.i (E.sub.i).DELTA.E.sub.i =the number of incident neutrons with energy between E.sub.i and E.sub.i +.DELTA.E.sub.i, and C=C(E.sub.i)=N .sigma.(E.sub.i) where N=the number density of absorbing atoms in the position sensitive counter means and .sigma. (E.sub.i)=the average cross section of the absorbing interaction between E.sub.i and E.sub.i +.DELTA.E.sub.i.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. East Syracuse, NY
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
866989
Patent Number(s):
4837442
Application Number:
07/166,581
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01T - MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP03533
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
neutron; range; spectrometer; method; determining; energy; spectrum; emitting; source; disclosed; neutrons; collimnated; collimation; axis; position; sensitive; counter; disposed; path; collimated; beam; determines; positions; interactions; neutron-absorbing; material; interaction; computer; analyzes; data; preferably; shielded; suitable; he-3; solves; following; equation; analysis; equ1; delta; measured; incident; sigma; density; absorbing; atoms; means; average; section; neutron energy; neutron counter; neutron-absorbing material; energy spectrum; absorbing material; position sensitive; neutron beam; incident neutrons; sensitive counter; sensitive neutron; range spectrometer; neutron range; neutron count; sorbing material; /250/

Citation Formats

Manglos, Stephen H. Neutron range spectrometer. United States: N. p., 1989. Web.
Manglos, Stephen H. Neutron range spectrometer. United States.
Manglos, Stephen H. Tue . "Neutron range spectrometer". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/866989.
@article{osti_866989,
title = {Neutron range spectrometer},
author = {Manglos, Stephen H},
abstractNote = {A neutron range spectrometer and method for determining the neutron energy spectrum of a neutron emitting source are disclosed. Neutrons from the source are collimnated along a collimation axis and a position sensitive neutron counter is disposed in the path of the collimated neutron beam. The counter determines positions along the collimation axis of interactions between the neutrons in the neutron beam and a neutron-absorbing material in the counter. From the interaction positions, a computer analyzes the data and determines the neutron energy spectrum of the neutron beam. The counter is preferably shielded and a suitable neutron-absorbing material is He-3. The computer solves the following equation in the analysis: ##EQU1## where: N(x).DELTA.x=the number of neutron interactions measured between a position x and x+.DELTA.x, A.sub.i (E.sub.i).DELTA.E.sub.i =the number of incident neutrons with energy between E.sub.i and E.sub.i +.DELTA.E.sub.i, and C=C(E.sub.i)=N .sigma.(E.sub.i) where N=the number density of absorbing atoms in the position sensitive counter means and .sigma. (E.sub.i)=the average cross section of the absorbing interaction between E.sub.i and E.sub.i +.DELTA.E.sub.i.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 1989},
month = {Tue Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 1989}
}